Fluence research uncovers up to 35 percent greater biomass in some cultivars under broad-spectrum LEDs in greenhouse and indoor environments

AUSTIN, Texas (Dec. 15, 2020)—Fluence by OSRAM (Fluence), a leading global provider of energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial cannabis and agriculture production, released results from its latest research trial analyzing how various supplemental and sole-source light spectra impact cannabis plant yield, consistency and quality. Fluence conducted its trials in collaboration with Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in the Netherlands and Austin-based Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation (TOCC) throughout 2019 and 2020.

The WUR study evaluated supplemental lighting’s effect on cannabis bud quality and yield in greenhouse production by applying four light spectra at 480 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) to three cannabis cultivars. Fluence also conducted indoor trials with TOCC examining sole-source lighting’s influence on cannabis flower development. The TOCC trial evaluated three cannabis cultivars under three light spectra at high PPFD. Both studies executed widely accepted scientific experimental design methodology and replication, ensuring Fluence’s results are conclusive and reliable.

“Cannabis bud quality, yield and consistency were remarkably strong when grown under Fluence’s PhysioSpec™ Spectrum BROAD R4 (white) light,” said David Hawley, Ph.D., Fluence’s senior scientist. “Unlike other commercial crops, greenhouse cultivators can grow cannabis with far greater intensities of supplemental light due to the plant’s photosynthetic capacity. To optimize yield, growers should consider light intensities that are dramatically higher than industry norms while paying close attention to spectral quality. Our high-intensity indoor trials affirmed that cannabis growers—whether indoor or in greenhouses—who apply BROAD R4 will maximize yield and secondary metabolite production.”

WUR’s greenhouse study showed that while lower supplemental light intensity spectra do not significantly influence cannabis yield, spectrum does still considerably alter cannabinoid and terpene concentrations. In some cultivars, increased red light significantly reduced cannabinoid and monoterpene content while concurrently increasing sesquiterpene content.

Insights from the indoor trials at TOCC uncovered that Fluence’s BROAD R4 yielded on average 20 percent more flower biomass than the BROAD R6 spectrum, 9 percent more floral bud than the BROAD R8 spectrum, and up to 31 percent greater floral biomass with R4 than with R6 in some cultivars. While cannabinoid and terpene concentrations remained consistent at these higher yields, the study also showed that higher-red light spectra can lead to photobleaching, which can inhibit growth.

“Investing in exploring the science behind Fluence’s solutions is crucial to staying educated, informed and ahead of important innovations in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry,” said David Cohen, CEO of Fluence. “We are dedicated to partnering with leading institutions and ground-breaking operators such as Wageningen University and Research and Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation on impactful, industry-driving research. These studies enable us to provide comprehensive LED solutions backed by data-driven research to cannabis growers around the world.”

To learn more about Fluence’s latest cannabis research, watch Dr. Hawley’s in-depth webinar exploring each trial’s results here. For more information on Fluence and its ongoing research initiatives, visit www.fluence.science.

About Fluence by OSRAM

Fluence Bioengineering, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of OSRAM, creates powerful and energy-efficient LED lighting solutions for commercial crop production and research applications. Fluence is a leading LED lighting supplier in the global cannabis market and is committed to enabling more efficient crop production with the world’s top vertical farms and greenhouse produce growers. Fluence global headquarters are based in Austin, Texas, with its EMEA headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. For more information about Fluence, visit www.fluence.science.